Series and Parallel Circuits

Foundations in Engineering – WV Curriculum

Current and Resistance

Electrons moving in a wire (current) are similar to

water moving in a pipe. If there are clogs in the pipe, the water will run slower.
The same thing happens in an electrical component, because of the material it is
made of. Some components are made of materials that resist the flow of
electrons better than others. This is called resistance. All materials have some
level of resistance – the ones that resist electricity well are called insulators, and
the ones that allow electricity to flow freely are called conductors. A light bulb is
a resistor, and the wire inside the light bulb has so much resistance that it
actually heats up and glows from the electrons passing through it!

Current and Voltage

Just like the water flow in the pipe needs a source of water (river, dam, ocean),
the flow of electrons (current) needs a source of free electrons, which can be
either a generator or a battery. A battery functions like a water storage tank. A
chemical reaction within the battery releases electrons, which collect at the
negative terminal of the battery. When a wire is connected to allow them to flow,
the electrons flow toward the positive terminal to try to “balance out.” This is
called potential difference. Some of the electrons lose or change their form of
energy in the circuit, (like the heat from the light bulb), but others flow through the
battery again and are re-energized. The difference between the electrons at the
two terminals is measured in volts, so potential difference is known as voltage.

Electrical Symbols

Since we cannot see electricity, we must rely on diagrams of circuits and

electrical devices. Pictorial drawing can be confusing, so symbols are used to
show exactly what is in the circuit. Electrical drawings made with symbols are
called schematic drawings. Refer to Handout 10-1-1 for common schematic
symbols, and Transparency TM 10-1-1 to explain the meaning of the various
parts of a schematic drawing.

Electrical Circuits

A circuit is a series of conductors and electrical components that electrical

current moves through. The word circuit means a circle. Electricity flows in a
circle. It both moves from and returns to its source. In this illustration, the
battery terminals are connected by a conductor and two lamps. The conductor
and lamps allow electrons to flow through the circuit from the negative terminal to
the positive terminal, in a complete circle.

Types of Circuits

A series circuit provides only one path for current flow through a conductor and
a variety of resistors (components). If the circuit is interrupted or broken, no
electricity will flow. For example, if one of the light bulbs in the illustration above
burns out, current will stop flowing.

An interruption of current flow is called an open circuit. An open circuit

anywhere in a series circuit will cause the whole system to go dead. For
example, a switch connected in series allows you to control the whole circuit.
When you turn the switch on, current flows though the circuit. When you turn the
switch off, current flow stops.

Parallel circuits have more than one path for current flow. With this type of
circuit, current can flow equally along different paths. A parallel circuit can be
open at one point yet continue to conduct electricity. In the illustration below, if
one bulb burns out, the other bulb will keep burning. Current will flow as long as
it has a complete path to follow.
Activity

1. Load 10 computers with Crocodile Clips 3 Elementary Edition (download from

site http://www.crocodile-clips.com/education/m6_4.htm ). Have 10 sets of
basic electrical components available for students to experiment with. (FiE
uses the Tronix kits).

2. Go over the basic principles of current, resistance and voltage, using the
background information.

3. Explain how to read schematic drawings using Transparency TM 10-1-1 and

Handout 10-1-1.

4. Have groups of two students sit at a computer with Crocodile Clips loaded.
They should also have an electricity kit with them.

5. Explain how to use the Crocodile Clips software to access lessons and to
create circuits, and how to use electricity components to construct circuits
(Transparency TM 10-1-2 and 10-1-3).

6. Pass out Handouts 10-1-2 and 10-1-3 and assist students as they complete
the questions and activities.

7. Review the answers and solutions to the open ended problems created in
class.
 Reading Schematic Diagrams
Transparency 10-1-1

Symbols are positioned

to make the drawing
easy to read, and do not
necessarily represent
Symbols are used to the physical position of
represent electrical and the component in the
electronic components. actual circuit.

The length of the line does not

represent the actual length of the The lines between one
wire needed to make the component and another
connection. represent the connection
between them, and are
drawn as straight lines.
 Using Tronix Components
Transparency 10-1-2

Making Connections

1mm solid copper wire is used for connections.

Strip about 3mm of insulation from both ends of
wire.

Push the wire into the

socket on the
component.

Looping the wire makes

it easier to insert and
remove connections.

Some Tronix components

also have sockets in other
places.
 Using Tronix Components
Transparency 10-1-3

Making Connections continued

Two wires in the same socket

represent the same contact
point.

Safety Note:
Tronix is designed to work
from a 6 volt non-
rechargeable battery. It is
safe to operate with non-
rechargeable batteries up to
9 volts.

If using a rechargeable
battery or a power supply
unit, you MUST include a
200 mA fuse connected in
series with the battery.

If more than 3 wires need

to connect at one place,
use a Tronix Extender.
 Common Schematic Symbols
Handout 10-1-1

1.5 volt, 9 volt battery

fuse

single pole single throw switch

single pole double throw switch (3 way)

push button switch

sliding switch (variable resistor/potentiometer)

resistor

buzzer

lamp

light emitting diode (LED)

M
motor

Crocodile Clip (delete component key)

 Series Circuits
Handout 10-1-2

1. Open Crocodile Clips software, and click on the “Series Lamps. ”

a. Are lamps A, B and C brighter or dimmer than lamp D?

b. Can you explain why?

c. What would happen to lamps A and B if lamp C was broken?

2. Write a statement that summarizes what you have just discovered about the
relationship between current and resistance in a series circuit.

3. Click on “Home,” then on “Create a Circuit.” Create a circuit with one lamp, a switch
and a 1.5-volt battery. Can you find a way to make the lamp shine more brightly?
(HINT: See “Batteries” section for more information).

4. Write a statement that summarizes what you have discovered about voltage.

5. You have been asked to design a plush animal for a toddler that has a nose that
glows brightly when he is happy and glows dim when he is sad. Use Tronix
components, including a single pole double throw switch.
(HINT: See “Quiz” section for information on how a double throw switch works.)
 Series Circuits
Handout 10-1-2 Answer Key

1. Open Crocodile Clips software, and click on the “Series Lamps. ”

a. Are lamps A, B and C brighter or dimmer than lamp D?

Dimmer

b. Can you explain why?

Lamps are providing resistance.

c. What would happen to lamps A and B if lamp C was broken?

They would get brighter.

2. Write a statement that summarizes what you have just discovered about the
relationship between current and resistance in a series circuit.
The higher the resistance, the lower the current. The lower the resistance the higher
the current.

3. Click on “Home, ” then on “Create a Circuit. ” Create a circuit with one lamp, a
switch and a 1.5-volt battery. Can you find a way to make the lamp shine more
brightly? (HINT: See “Batteries” section for more information.)
Add another battery (more voltage)

4. Write a statement that summarizes what you have discovered about voltage.
Voltage can be increased by adding batteries in series. Increase the voltage, and
the current is increased.

5. You have been asked to design a plush animal for a toddler that has a nose that
glows brightly when he is happy and glows dim when he is sad. Use Tronix
components, including a single pole double throw switch.
(HINT: See “Quiz” section for information on how a double throw switch works.)

1.5 3
V V
 Parallel Circuits
Handout 10-1-3

1. Open Crocodile Clips software, and click on the “Parallel Lamps.”

a. Are lamps A, B and C brighter or dimmer than lamp D?

b. Is the current through lamp D less than through lamp A? (To check this, hold
the mouse over the lamp and read the amps.)

c. What do you think would happen to lamps A and B if lamp C was broken?

2. A hospital has a room with four beds in it. If one of the patients needs attention they
can flip a switch that turns on a light in the nurse’s office. Design a system for doing
this. Remember, more than one patient could need help at the same time. Use
Tronix components.

3. Click on “Home,” then on “Create a Circuit.” Create the circuit below with three
lamps, three switches and a 9-volt battery.

A
B
C

9V
a. Turn on switch A. What happens?

b. Turn on switch B. What happens?

4. Compare the brightness of lamps A and B. Can you explain why?

5. Compare the brightness of lamp A before and after you turn on switch B.
6. Turn off switch B, and measure the current from the battery (by holding the
mouse pointer over it) when only lamp A in on.

7. Now turn on switch B and measure the current drawn from the battery.

8. Finally, measure the current when all three lamps are on.

9. Write a statement that summarizes what you have discovered about current in
parallel circuits.

10. Using what you have just learned, describe the brightness of each bulb in the
circuit shown below.

A B

9V
 Parallel Circuits
Handout 10-1-3 Answer Key

1. Open Crocodile Clips software, and click on the “Parallel Lamps.”

a. Are lamps A, B and C brighter or dimmer than lamp D? No

b. Is the current through lamp D less than through lamp A? (To check this, hold
the mouse over the lamp and read the amps.) No

c. What do you think would happen to lamps A and B if lamp C was broken?
They would stay the same

2. A hospital has a room with four beds in it. If one of the patients needs attention they
can flip a switch that turns on a light in the nurse’s office. Design a system for doing
this. Remember, more than one patient could need help at the same time. Use
Tronix components.

3. Click on “Home,” then on “Create a Circuit.” Create the circuit below with three
lamps, three switches and a 9-volt battery.

A
B
C

9V
a. Turn on switch A. What happens?
Lamp A lights up

b. Turn on switch B. What happens?

Lamp B lights up. Lamp A stays on.

4. Compare the brightness of lamps A and B. Can you explain why?

Same brightness, because the voltage across them is the same.
5. Compare the brightness of lamp A before and after switch B is turned on.
Same brightness, because the voltage across them is the same.

6. Turn off switch B, and measure the current from the battery (by holding the
mouse pointer over it) when only lamp A in on.
481 ma

7. Now turn on switch B and measure the current drawn from the battery.

8. Finally, measure the current when all three lamps are on.
1.44 A or 1440 ma

9. Write a statement that summarizes what you have discovered about current in
parallel circuits.
The overall current drawn from the battery increases as more lamps are added
into a parallel circuit.

10. Using what you have just learned, describe the brightness of each bulb in the
circuit shown below.
Lamps A and B will be the same brightness; lamps C and D will be the same
brightness; but A and B will be half as bright as C and D.

A B

9V